My journey to IISER TVM

(Travelogue written by IISER TVM student Fathima Farhana in the second family reunion souvenir)

My journey to IISER TVM campus started from the day when I heard about science research oriented course in a ca reer guidance class during my NEET preparation, I've always admired the world of science, and yearned to study new content ev eryday, so IISER was a good op tion for me to pursue my dream and study pure science alongside with research.

Along with other several competitive examinations I at tended, including IISER Aptitude Test in which I scored surpris ingly a good enough rank to get admission in IISER TVM. The admission process was com pletely through online. I've com pleted the procedures and has been eagerly waiting ever since then for the day to join the campus.

The Day came, we started our journey from Kozhikode rail way station with my grandpa Vailishery Kunjalankutty master and my other family members. We reached at Trivandrum railway station after a journey of almost 10 hrs.

Since we planned and reached a day earlier there was a day more to see the city of Thiruvananthapuram until I join hostel. As a retired teacher my Grandpa went straight to the 'Adhyapaka Bhavan' to stay for the day. After that we went straigt to the secretariat then, Constituency assembly building to see all the important places. One of our family friend was working as the assistant secratary so things became easier. After spending the whole day seeing the sights of Thiruvananthapuram, the next morning we left Thiruvanan thapuram city for the foothills of Ponmudi, where IISER is located. Around 10 o'clock we reached the beautiful campus of IISER TVM, my dream campus. The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Before describing about the campus let me introduce the course briefly, BSMS is a dual degree with 5 years of duration that is bachelor's and master's alongside with research. Here for the first 2 years, we study the subject’s maths, physics, chemistry and biology. And when appearing for 3rd year we'll be able to choose a subject to major on and a subject to minor on depending on our academic abilities and preferences.

Now let me tell you about the campus which is the part I like the most. The IISER TVM campus, part of the Western Ghats Mountain ecosystem, is arguably one of the most pic turesque Indian campuses. Spanning about 200 acres, it is located at Vithura. 40 km from Tvm, Kerala, at the foothills of the Agasthyamala hills. It includes a substantial tract of rainforest that is contiguous with the Agasthyamala Biosphere Re serve. The buildings are nestled amidst lush greenery and provide a breathtaking setting for academic work.

And indeed, the weather and facilities here are also one of the best that any campus could have in India. I can't stop talking about this whole campus what do I say amazing or stunning or... Honestly, I'd myself say this is one of the best college campuses in India.

That day (18112022) Grandpa, Grandma, uncle, cousin, mother and siblings, all wishing me a good success, returned with tears of true love. This is my journey in brief to the IISER campus. Best wishes for the Vailish ery family reunion 2023.

Hey all ! I'm Fathima Farhana D/o Ashiq Rahman Vailishery, Elannummal. first year BSMS student in IISER (Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research) Thiruvananthapuram. Thanks to my uncle Habeeb Rahman Chief Editor of our magazine who has been insisting I take up the pen for our family souvenir.